Baked Alaska

Ingredients:

• 6 oz. pie crust
• 4 cups fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt, or chocolate, or a combination of flavors, softened
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, preferably superfine
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Makes 10 Servings

1. Fill piecrust with yogurt and smooth the top; freeze until yogurt is completely firm, about 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 425ºF.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a large mixing bowl until frothy; add cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add in sugar while beating mixture and continue to beat until peaks are stiff and glossy; beat in vanilla. Immediately spread meringue mixture over frozen pie, making sure to spread meringue to the edges of the dish. Using the back of a spoon, make swirling motions to form a decorative top; place pie on a baking sheet.
4. Bake until meringue is golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. Slice into 10 pieces and serve immediately.

WW POINTS VALUE: 5 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears on www.weightwatchers.com. This dessert may look overwhelming but it's really simple to make when you take the time. The recipe calls for a pie crust but I highly recommend making your own pie crust by using melted butter mixed with crushed graham crackers spiced with ground cinnamon, nutmeg and even a touch of ginger for a more flavorful crust. AND....if you have the talent or the patience, make your own frozen yogurt or gelato (in my case, Ciao Bella Gelato). Homemade gelato tastes the best and you can use any flavor gelato in this recipe and the dessert will still by good. The egg white mixture doesn't take long to make and neither does baking the dessert. The actual dessert doesn't take that long to make so keep a close eye on it. The baked Alaska is delicious. I highly recommend putting the ice cream/frozen yogurt/gelato into the seasoned pie crust over night in the freezer, make the meringue the next day and then make and serve the dessert that very day. The meringue will be golden and go well with the frozen treat. Whatever you don't finish, put away in the freezer and it will taste just as delicious the next day.